Happy Birthday Katie!

Katie is 19 today!! That’s right; my “baby” is 19! Her day consists of working 8 AM – 3 PM then getting cleaned up and heading to Relay for Life in Wolfeboro where Gallazelli, International Toast and The Elevator District are singing. Hilary is going down to take pictures for them and we are going to listen later. We probably won’t get to celebrate her day until tomorrow…a cake is waiting…

So, in honor of today and the many creative ways she has worn her hair over the years…I present…Katie…

Mom, Lindsey, Hilary and Katie

On the Mount Washington on Lake Winnipesaukee

Piano Recital at Dunntown AC Church, ME

Cheerleader at Sterling Memorial School, CT

Kingswood Middle School 8th Grade Dance, NH

Brewster Academy Prom…with her Dad…she was a guest at this prom…

Lindsey and Hilary, I hope you aren’t too disappointed that I didn’t do this for you (LOL)…there is always next year ;0)

Meet Thelma…

My Mom had a habit of naming her cars. I remember Ike and Gertude, but can’t remember any others. For some reason my daughters have taken up that mantle. Lindsey’s first car was a green escort named Kermit. When Lindsey was hit head on, Kermit was totaled (RIP) and she got Ruby, a maroon Subaru, who soon changed names to Killer, because he was killing her patience. She now has a white Taurus named Glinda (the Good Witch from Wizard of Oz). We had a yellow/biege Volvo wagon they called the Cappucinomobie and another one called Gunner (the tank…and proved its name when Katie hit black ice and took out a street sign. She and the car were fine, but the street sign was wedged against the drive shaft.) Hilary has a red Subaru named Reggie. We picked up Katie’s Toyota Corolla yesterday…so meet Thelma.

Hilary is home for the weekend and for Katie’s birthday. She came right from her internship and was still in her “work” clothes. She’d also recently had a new haircut and I love the style. I took a picture, but in Hilary style could not get a serious face. Look at our grown up 21 year old.

Then I took this photo of John and Hilary…wonder where she gets the weird faces from?

Crazy Kids!

Hilary made it back from visiting Andrew in Washington, DC last night. She had a great time. I haven’t seen any photos yet. Katie’s new keyboard came today…she named it “Oswald”. I’m not sure why, all I think of is Oswald Chambers or Lee Harvey Oswald. She is at Johnny’s practicing tonight because Gallazelli, International Toast, Elevator District and DJ Squash Kid are doing a joint concert at Kingswood tomorrow night. Here is the photo she just sent on my phone…silly kids!

Happy Father’s Day!

In the past week I have been at a wedding rehearsal, wedding, celebrated my anniversary, gone to FOUR retirement parties, one birthday party and one graduation party, as well as traveling to Portland after a retirement party on Friday to see a friend from NC that was heading to “The County”…it was good to see you Karen, Tony and gang! John decided to go to CT for his nephew’s graduation party…7 hours round trip…I just couldn’t do one more party, so I did the Wolfeboro grad party (45 minutes roundtrip).

We found a car for Katie, but don’t have it yet – 1996 Toyota Corolla…hope it is ready soon…she is putting the miles on mine with working two jobs, plus rehearsals for 2 music shows next week. One more full week of school plus 1-1/2 days. Thankfully it will be much cooler in the school this week, we fried last week.

Hope you’ve had a good week…God is giving me peace about a number of situations, I’m grateful for that.

So, this is my husband, the father of my children…nice hat, huh? I love this photo. We went out for seafood…his choice. Then after a crazy week we both took a nap…he fell asleep on the couch and the cats and dog and I crashed on the bed. Katie came home after work and we’re watching “Into the Wild”. (PS – 2-1/2 hours later – that was a DEPRESSING movie!!!)  Have a great week!

Happy Anniversary to me…and John!

John and I have been married 29 years today! Hooray for us! There is so much going on this week that we chose not to go out. I fixed fajitas here and Katie and Alex joined us. We did go for ice cream at the Dairy Bar around 8 PM…I’m such a cheap date…

It has been in the 90’s here the last few days and will be for 2 more. For those in the South that is not unusual…here…well, most places are not air conditioned. We have 2 small window units and that helps downstairs. There is NO a/c at my school and I am on the second floor. HOT!! We did not take the kids out for recess today; they would have gotten heat exhaustion since there are no trees on our playground.

The rest of this week is filled with 3 retirement parties and 1 birthday party. I think we won’t be going to 2 graduation parties…we’ll see…

We visited some friends in Maine last night and it was a nice time. I read a quote while I was there that I am still pondering. I’ll share it later in the week. Right now there are 4 teenagers in my living room playing the Wii…I am so tired I think I will go to bed. Stay cool!

Prophetic, I guess…

When I went to write in my “Talk to God” Journal tonight. I reread what I had written Saturday. What knocked me over was the verse I had written down…“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9. So, I guess right now I’m walking by faith in the stepping stones I have yet to see.

I know the plans I have for you…

A situation which would have put John back in full-time ministry fell apart today. I should be thankful because all week I had been praying, “if this isn’t what You want God…stop it…”, but right now it feels like a kick in the teeth. All indications for all meetings seemed to be that we and the church were on the same page. I’m not sure what happened in the last 2 weeks, but we are not moving.

I am thankful if it meant pain and sorrow ahead, I just wish it had been headed off weeks ago…and not at the last moment. So, I am trying (struggling) to praise God through this. I know that He is in control. I am clinging to Jeremiah 29:11, “‘I know the plans I have for you, ‘ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future…’” This verse carried me through a VERY difficult time in my life…I remember walking around the house saying, “I know the plans I have for you, I know the plans I have for you, I know the plans I have for you…” Just writing this and remembering what He has brought me through gives me peace, faith and hope.

What now for us? I do not know…what I do know is I have a husband who loves me, three beautiful daughters, a house to live in, a church family who loves me, and a job I love…and a heavenly Father who loves and care for me like no other.  These things I am confident of, even when I don’t understand other things in life.

For those who knew what was happening in our lives and had been praying, thank you. Please do not stop praying for us as we re-evaluate what God is saying in all of this. Thanks for listening – you are great sounding boards…